Resolution - 2013.02
Employment Insurance Benefits for Cancer Patients and their Caregivers
Submitted by: Manitoba Provincial Council
Whereas, Persons suffering from cancer, who meet the specific criteria for Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits, will receive up to a maximum of 15 weeks of benefits and their caregivers, who meet the specific criteria for Employment Insurance Compassionate Care benefits, will receive up to a maximum of six weeks of benefits; and
Whereas, Canadian Breast Cancer Network studies show that two-thirds of respondents were away from work for 16 weeks or more during treatment; and
Whereas, There are significant expenses associated with cancer such as lost wages, transportation, accommodation, child care and drug costs; therefore, be it
Resolved, That national council of The Catholic Women`s League of Canada, in 93rd annual national convention assembled, urge the federal government to:
- Provide employment insurance sickness benefits up to 52 weeks for cancer patients; and
- Increase the employment insurance compassionate care benefit to 26 weeks, accessible during a 52-week period, for caregivers of cancer patients.
BRIEF: Employment Insurance Benefits for Cancer Patients and Their Caregivers
The Employment Insurance Program in Canada offers temporary financial assistance to unemployed workers. This assistance includes providing sickness benefits to employees unable to work because of sickness, injury or quarantine and who would otherwise be available to work, with sickness benefits up to a maximum of 15 weeks (Parliament of Canada- EI – Sickness Benefits). The Employment Insurance Program also provides compassionate care benefits to eligible people who have to be away from work temporarily to provide care or support to a family member who is gravely ill, and who has a significant risk of death within 26 weeks (six months) with a maximum of six weeks of compassionate care benefits. (ibid Parliament of Canada- EI – Compassionate Care). Furthermore, in August of 2012 the federal government announced that parental caregivers of critically ill children under the age of 18 can claim up to 35 weeks within a year (ibid).
Cancer patients may qualify for a CPP disability benefit if they “have a severe and prolonged disability as defined by the CPP legislation” and meet all the other criteria outlined in this legislation (Government of Canada –Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits March 2013-Who is Eligible).
If cancer patients are eligible under the terms of the CPP legislation, disability benefits will start the fourth month after the month they are determined to be disabled and they may receive up to a maximum of 12 months of retroactive payments from the date the application was received (ibid CPP-when to expect to start receiving).
Cancer patients who qualify to receive CPP disability may also apply for EI sick benefits. (ibid-CPP-Other disability benefits)
“While Canada pays sickness benefits for 15 weeks for serious illnesses, globally at least 90 countries provide benefits for at least 26 weeks or until recovery” (Heymann, S. Jody, et al).
“The average duration of treatment was 38 weeks and two-thirds of respondents took 16 weeks or more off from work. Because employment insurance (EI) benefits last for a maximum of 15 weeks (6 weeks for compassionate care benefits), there was an average gap of 23 weeks during treatment without EI coverage” (Canadian Breast Cancer Network).
Poll results by the Canadian Cancer Society “…show that more than 60% of Canadians believe it is likely that they, or their spouse or partner, will be a caregiver to a sick family member in the future (Canadian Cancer Society).
A report conducted on the economic impact of breast cancer and the challenges of returning to work indicated, “the economic impact of breast cancer is huge and, in many cases, devastating for patients and their families. Eighty per cent of respondents experienced a financial impact from the disease” (Canadian Breast Cancer Network).
“Canada’s provision of barely over half-pay for 15 weeks is low by global standards. Even when some families have substantial savings, it is likely to put many other low-and-moderate-income families at financial risk and to be a cause of bankruptcy, housing loss and other large economic impacts” (Heymann, S. Jody).
“Travel appears to be one of the biggest indirect costs of cancer, particularly for rural Canadians who must travel to larger centres for highly specialized treatment and services. Studies across Canada show that these costs can quickly surpass all other out-of-pocket expenses” (Canadian Cancer Network, Longo CJ, et al). Other expenses associated with travel expenses could include lost wages, fuel, accommodation, child care, accompanying companion and parking (Canadian Cancer Action Network).
“Direct costs of treatment that must be paid for by the patient include some drugs, medical supplies and prosthetics” (Canadian Breast Cancer Network).
“Two thirds of Canadian adults participate in the workforce. Their health and that of their families can be markedly affected by the availability of paid sick leave, paid leave to care for family members’ health…” (Heymann, et al). Cancer patients and their caregivers need the security of expanded employment insurance benefits allowing them to concentrate on their treatment and to move forward with their lives.
WORKS CITED:
Canadian Breast Cancer Network (2010). “Breast Cancer: Economic Impact and Labour Force Re-entry.” n. pag. http://www.cbcn.ca/documents/Labour_Force_Re-entry_Report_ENG_CBCN_2010.pdf Web. 5 February 2013.
Canadian Cancer Action Network (CCAN)/Canadian Cancer Society, “Financial hardship of cancer in Canada – A Call For Action.” p. 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 16, 17, 18, 20. Print.
Canadian Cancer Society, “Canadians fear financial impact of caring for sick family member Canadians Cancer Society Calls on Parties to Support a National Caregivers Strategy.” n. pag. http://www.cancer.ca/ontario/about%20us/media%20centre/od-media/%20releases/caregivers%20release.aspx?sc_lang=en##ixzz2KplEfvrq Web. 13 February 2013.
Canadian Cancer Society, Public Health Agency of Canada, Statistics Canada. Canadian Cancer Statistics 2012 “Incidence of Mortality Rates by Cancer Type” “Percentage Distribution Estimated New Cases and Deaths for Selected Cancers, Males/Females, Canada, 2012” n. pag. http://www.cancer.ca/~/media/cancer.ca/CW/cancer%20information/cancer%20101/Canadian%20cancer%
20statistics/Canadian-Cancer-Statistics-2012—English.pdf Web. 3 February 2013
Government of Canada – Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits. http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/ei/types/sickness.shtml#what
Government of Canada-Employment Insurance-Compassionate Care Benefits http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/ei/types/compassionate_care.shtml#Definition
Government of Canada – An Act to Amend the Canadian Labour Code and to Make Consequential Amendments to the Income Tax Act and the Income Tax Regulations.(Bill C-44) Pub no 41-1-C44-E 11 Oct. 2012. http://www.parl.gc.ca/Content/LOP/LegislativeSummaries/41/1/C44-e.pdf
Government of Canada- Canada Pension Plan Disability benefits http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/isp/pub/cpp/disability/benefits/cppbentoc.shtml#whoelig
Heymann, S. Jody, Gerecke, M., Chaussard, M., “Paid Health and Family Leave: The Canadian Experience in the Global Context” Canadian Journal of Public Health. P. S9-S15 Print.
Longo CJ, Deber R, Fitch M, Williams AP, D’Souza D “An examination of cancer patients’ monthly ‘out-of-pocket costs in Ontario, Canada.” n. pag. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17944764/ Web. 13 February 2013
Mathews M, Buehler S, West R. “Perceptions of health care providers concerning patient and health care provider strategies to limit out-of-pocket costs for cancer care.” n. pag. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19672419/ Web. 13 February 2013.
ACTION PLAN:
- Write letters to prime minister, minister of human resources and skill development, minister of health and minister of finance with copies to your local member of parliament urging the federal government to provide additional Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits up to 52 weeks for cancer patients and to increase the Employment Insurance Compassionate Care Benefit to 26 weeks, accessible during a 52 week period, for caregivers
- Educate members of the ongoing needs of cancer patients and their caregivers
- Monitor the government’s response to the request contained in the resolution.
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